Within the FAO/WOAH Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), Global Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Control Strategy was developed with the overall objective to contribute to poverty alleviation and improving the livelihoods in developing countries and to protect the global and regional trade in animals and animal products. The specific objective of the strategy is to improve FMD control in regions where the disease is still endemic, thereby protecting the advanced animal disease control status in other regions of the world.  So, the strategy focuses regional approach to control FMD through exchange of information and experiences, coordinated efforts and development of regional roadmaps showing the country’s ambitions and allowing regular progress assessment.

In 2021, a Global Coordination Committee on FMD (GCC-FMD) was established by FAO with WOAH, to benefit from, and coordinate with, the ongoing regional programs for the control of FMD. The committee is composed of representatives of international and regional organizations, institutions, technical entities, development partners and other relevant stakeholders involved in implementing FMD control initiatives. Further information about the GCC-FMD, including the objectives and expected outcomes can be found in the report of the first meeting (link here).

Two previous meetings (2021, 2022) of the GCC-FMD have been convened were organized virtually under the umbrella of the GF-TADs, by its FMD Working Group (FMD-WG). The purpose of the 3rd meeting is for the Standing Members to review recommendations developed around the four thematic areas, namely (i) regional governance, (ii) public private partnership, (iii) advocacy, and (iv) technical issues (diagnostic, epidemiology, vaccines and vaccination resources) and endorse an action plan.